Test of time: 2 almanacs celebrate milestone anniversaries

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — Over the years, hundreds of almanacs have come and gone, but two are celebrating milestones.

The 200th edition of the Farmers' Almanac in Maine features gardening tips, home-spun humor and life hacks. In New Hampshire, The Old Farmer's Almanac marks its 225th anniversary with tributes from President Barack Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Both have special anniversary sections with articles from the past.

They feature long-term weather forecasts based on unconventional formulas using solar cycles, climatology and meteorology. Scientists generally frown upon the forecasts, but both almanacs defend them.

The almanacs say this winter is going to be a cold one for the eastern two-thirds of the nation. In Maine, managing Editor Sandi Duncan calls it the return of the "ice-cold winter."